reproduction (17 publications). Very little research has been done on physiology,
anatomy or fisheries, and none in either conservation issues or aquaculture
(Fig. 3.2c). These indicate future areas of research.
3.2.1 Ecology
Crinoid Ecology
Crinoid research has being carried out only in Belize. There are no reports on the
presence of crinoids on the Pacific side, with the exception of Thalassometra
agassizii and Fariometra parvula found in deeper waters at Cocos Ridge (Alvarado
and Cortés 2009; Alvarado 2010).
Macurda (1982) described the presence of four shallow water crinoids at Carrie
Bow Cay, Belize: Davidaster discoidea, Davidaster rubiginosa, Ctenantedon
kinziei and Analcidometra armata. Both Davidaster species were the most abundant crinoids on the forereef slope, and located on the top of the outer ridge, and in
the spur and groove zone of the inner fore reef. Macurda (1982) argued that this
distribution reflects their need of moderate water motion without direct wave surge.
He described three color varieties for D. discoidea and seven for D. rubiginosa.
The three forms of D. discoidea have black-tipped pinnules, but differ in the color
of the arms (green, yellow and dark green). For D. rubiginosa, he describes only
three forms that are all orange, but with different pinnules colors (black, yellow and
white). The black form is the most common. For these six color forms, he provided
the depth range, and the average arm numbers with their length. Ctenantedon
kinziei was a rare species, occurring only on the top of the outer ridge and down the
fore-reef slope, from depths of 13–25 m, and completely hidden within coral
colonies (mostly Montastraea). Analcidometra armata was associated with the
gorgonians (Pseudopterogorgia spp., Muriceopsis sp. and Gorgonia mariae)
(Macurda 1982).
Humes (2000) described a new parasitic species of siphonostomatoid copepod
(Asterocheres crinoidicola) on Nemaster grandis and D. rubiginosa. This was the
first report of a copepod parasitic on a crinoid in the Caribbean.
Asteroid Ecology
Caribbean
The asteroid Oreaster reticulatus (Fig. 3.3) has been recorded as common on
shallow waters throughout the Caribbean Sea. Increased collection for ornamental
shell and aquarium trade has resulted in a striking decline in Caribbean populations (See Scheibling and Metaxas 2010 for references). In Belize, Scheibling and
Metaxas (2010) examined the potential role of mangroves and fringing patch reefs
3 Central America Echinoderms: Diversity, Ecology and Future Perspectives
75
anatomy or fisheries, and none in either conservation issues or aquaculture
(Fig. 3.2c). These indicate future areas of research.
3.2.1 Ecology
Crinoid Ecology
Crinoid research has being carried out only in Belize. There are no reports on the
presence of crinoids on the Pacific side, with the exception of Thalassometra
agassizii and Fariometra parvula found in deeper waters at Cocos Ridge (Alvarado
and Cortés 2009; Alvarado 2010).
Macurda (1982) described the presence of four shallow water crinoids at Carrie
Bow Cay, Belize: Davidaster discoidea, Davidaster rubiginosa, Ctenantedon
kinziei and Analcidometra armata. Both Davidaster species were the most abundant crinoids on the forereef slope, and located on the top of the outer ridge, and in
the spur and groove zone of the inner fore reef. Macurda (1982) argued that this
distribution reflects their need of moderate water motion without direct wave surge.
He described three color varieties for D. discoidea and seven for D. rubiginosa.
The three forms of D. discoidea have black-tipped pinnules, but differ in the color
of the arms (green, yellow and dark green). For D. rubiginosa, he describes only
three forms that are all orange, but with different pinnules colors (black, yellow and
white). The black form is the most common. For these six color forms, he provided
the depth range, and the average arm numbers with their length. Ctenantedon
kinziei was a rare species, occurring only on the top of the outer ridge and down the
fore-reef slope, from depths of 13–25 m, and completely hidden within coral
colonies (mostly Montastraea). Analcidometra armata was associated with the
gorgonians (Pseudopterogorgia spp., Muriceopsis sp. and Gorgonia mariae)
(Macurda 1982).
Humes (2000) described a new parasitic species of siphonostomatoid copepod
(Asterocheres crinoidicola) on Nemaster grandis and D. rubiginosa. This was the
first report of a copepod parasitic on a crinoid in the Caribbean.
Asteroid Ecology
Caribbean
The asteroid Oreaster reticulatus (Fig. 3.3) has been recorded as common on
shallow waters throughout the Caribbean Sea. Increased collection for ornamental
shell and aquarium trade has resulted in a striking decline in Caribbean populations (See Scheibling and Metaxas 2010 for references). In Belize, Scheibling and
Metaxas (2010) examined the potential role of mangroves and fringing patch reefs
3 Central America Echinoderms: Diversity, Ecology and Future Perspectives
75